CDC Reports Nearly 92,000 Drug Overdose Deaths in 2020

Drug overdose deaths in the United States reached another record high in 2020 at more than 91,000, according to new government figures, far exceeding totals for the previous year. Data released Dec. 30, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics show increases in drug overdose deaths among both men and women, across all racial and ethnic populations and among all ages 15 and older for the year.

Synthetic opioids, including fentanyl but excluding methadone, continued to be the primary driver of drug overdose deaths, with fatal overdoses involving such substances accounting for more than 60% of drug fatalities in 2020. While the mortality rate increased for nearly all drugs studied in the report, the death rate ties to synthetic opioids rose 56% from 2019 to 2020.

Recovery From Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) After Monthly Long-acting Buprenorphine Treatment, an Observational Study

A recent study investigated the longer-term psychosocial, economic and health outcomes in relation to pharmacotherapy for opioid use disorder (OUD). The study titled, RECOVER (Remission from Chronic Opioid Use: Studying Environmental and Socioeconomic Factors on Recovery had 533 patients over a 12-month observational period. The study focused on the effectiveness of treatment when using pharmacotherapy practices. During RECOVER, participants had fewer withdrawal symptoms, less pain, positive health-related quality of life, minimal depression and higher employment compared to a pre-trial visit. The participant makeup of the study consisted of various age groups ranging from 18 to 60+. Half of the participants who completed the 12-month RECOVER study had sustained abstinence over the 12-month observational period based on no self-reported opioid use. 

Innovative treatment strategies can be formed because of studies such as this. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration notes that these sustained-release buprenorphine products not only provide effective treatment but can also decrease misuse and accidental exposure when compared to self-administered formulations. The study provides some insight into the future of novel pharmacologic treatments in supporting those experiencing opioid use disorder.

Indiana Drug Overdose Dashboard

Please visit the Indiana Drug Overdose Dashboard, where you will find data from 2017 up to provisional data for 2021. In this dashboard, you will find data regarding opioid prescriptions, hospital discharges, and drug-related deaths.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Safety & Health Integration in the Enforcement of Laws on Drugs (SHIELD)

9 a.m. – Noon EST, Jan 17

Police officers have been asked to take on new roles and responsibilities due to overdoses and other emerging challenges. Usually, they are exposed to safety risks due to inadequate tools or training. This SHIELD Training Initiative fills this gap, providing law enforcement with the tools they need to safeguard their physical and mental well-being, improve community relations, and accomplish their public safety mission more efficiently.

To register for this event, click here.

Engaging Emergency Medical Services in Naloxone Distribution

10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. EST, Jan. 12

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel are on the front lines of the overdose crisis. EMS have been using naloxone for decades when treating unresponsive patients. EMS providers offering naloxone to people at risk of overdose and connecting them to prevention resources is a critical and underutilized approach. This webinar will address how engagement with EMS personnel through leave behind programs can bolster existing overdose prevention activities, address stigma, and improve naloxone access for vulnerable populations.

To register for this event, click here.

Addressing Social Determinants of Health Through Prevention Planning

9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. EST, Jan. 27

Substance misuse prevention planning crosses many disciplines. We are natural collaborators, especially when engaging in environmental strategies. As we continue to plan and work toward improving the overall wellness of the communities we serve, it is important that we understand social determinants of health (SDOH) and how our work intersects with them. SDOH are the conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks. This session will examine SDOH and how prevention professionals can use this framework in developing innovative prevention strategies.

To register for this event, click here.